Level Launch and Retrieval Positioning System

ABSTRACT

The following specification discloses a boat trailer equipped with a powered boat launch and retrieval system that negates the shallow entry of a launch ramp. The system consists of six main components. 1. A custom bow eye. 2. A damping push/pull bar. 3. An “A” frame weldment with pivotal (base) ends attached to the trailer, and pivotal forked (apex) ends bilaterally positioned over the bow eye, to support the bow load, through the damping push/pull bar. 4. A dual purpose pneumatic cylinder of size and length to power the “A” frame weldment aft to the buoyancy position and also to control the forward gravitational descent of the bow back to the towing/storage position. 5. A removable two piece triangular yoke to facilitate retrieval and containment. 6. A retrieval winch of sufficient size to retrieve items one through five of the above, back to the towing/storage position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention lies within the art of launching a trailerable boat. The specific field is with regard to trailerable ocean boats incorporating a deep “V” with a steep forward entry. With this hull design the bow is forward of the buoyancy level of the typical 12½ percent descent of launch ramps, making the launch and or retrieval difficult without subjecting the tow vehicle, boat, or even the launch facilities to potential damage.

2. Prior Art

The prior art consists of, and includes the designs of trailers with one or more hinge points to break the trailer horizontal beam to enable a lower trailer to hull support position to aid floatation. Another describes a telescopic center beam that when extended, allows a deeper launch, allowing the boat to float off the trailer. Another describes a device to raise and lower the trailer tongue to aid the launch . . . .

The inventor has found, that when the stern, of a trailerable boat becomes buoyant, due to launch ramp depth, that adding a rotational component, of a replicated, sea swell type motion to mechanically lift the bow, aft or forward in the longitudinal axis, creates the equivalency of total buoyancy enabling a safe successful launch, and or retrieval, without compromise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summation, this invention complements a transport trailer, specifically designed to support a boat hull, by installing a powered pivotal support system to the forward trailer frame, to mechanically lift the trailer bound bow, of a boat, into, and out of, deeper buoyant water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the description below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a transport trailer with boat hull, and powered pivotal launch and retrieval/positioning system in the transport mode.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the powered pivotal launch and retrieval/positioning system in the launch mode.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the powered pivotal launch and retrieval/positioning system as launched.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the hull being positioned for retrieval.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the “A” frame weldment in the top dead center retrieval mode.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed plain cross sectional view, 6-6 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Looking at FIG. 1, it can be seen that a hull 14 is on transport trailer 10. Looking more particularly at the trailer, it can be seen that the bow 14 is secured to the trailer from the bow eye location. Looking more particularly at FIG. 6, in the direction of section 6-6, it can be seen the bow eye 12 is attached to the hull 14 with two fastening studs 15 that are respectively threaded into the bow eye 12, and secured with hex nuts 18 bearing on washer 20 to hull 14. Looking at FIG. 1 it can be seen, a pivotal “A” frame weldment 24 clamped to the trailer frame, with two parallel bars, the top bar providing “A” frame weldment rotation, the bottom bar facilitating the dog clamp. Looking at FIG. 1 it can be seen that the “A” frame weldment pivotal position, related to the power cylinder assembly 22, forms a triangular support apex. Looking at FIG. 6 it can be seen, a horizontal push/pull bar 30, is captured in the triangular support apex by the bilateral fork of the “A” frame 24, and the push fork 28 connected to the rod 36 of the power cylinder assembly 22. Looking at FIG. 6 it can be seen, the horizontal push/pull bar 30 is centered within the bow eye 12 with a damping resilient material 26 to eliminate chatter during towing, to mediate shock, and to evenly distribute loads during rotation. Looking at FIG. 1, it can be seen that the dual purpose cylinder 22 forms a strut to the quadrilateral formed by trailer 10, “A” frame weldment 24, winch support 42, and winch belt assembly 46, to prevent vertical movement of the bow eye 12. Looking at FIG. 2, it can be seen that the triangular yoke 35, and the winch belt 46 has been removed from the horizontal push/pull bar 30.

To prevent unintentional loss, security lanyard 41 is secured to the port side slot 43 of the horizontal push/pull bar 30. Looking more particularly at cylinder 22, it can be seen it has been pneumatically pressurized by control regulator 48, connected to portable air supply 50 to just past the top dead center position of the “A” frame weldment 24, where, looking at FIG. 3, it can be seen the drop off of cylinder 22, and the complete separation of the hull 14 from the trailer 10, by the aft rotation of the “A” frame weldment 24, that was due to gravitational fall off. Looking at FIG. 4, it can be seen that the hull 14 is in the retrieval mode. Looking more particularly at FIG. 6, the lanyard 41 has been transferred from the horizontal push/pull bar 43, to the shackle pin 40, to prevent unintentional loss in handling. The two piece triangular yoke 35, has been attached to the horizontal push/pull bar ends 30, the winch belt 46 has, been joined to the yoke by shackle 38, and secured with shackle pin 40. Looking more particularly at FIG. 4 it can be seen a lift strap 47 is attached to winch belt 46, and to the “ A” frame weldment 24, that during retrieval will provide an upward lift of the bilateral forks thereof to engage the horizontal push/pull bar 30. Continued advancement will enable the start of the longitudinal lift toward the top dead center position. Looking at FIG. 5 it can be seen, that the push yoke 28, has been extended, by applying pneumatic air to cylinder 22, to a predetermined value, and has received the horizontal push/pull bar 30. As the hull 14, is lifted longitudinally forward, by winch 44, the increased cylinder pressure is released by the pressure regulator 48. When the “A” frame weldment 24, is advanced to past top dead center by winch belt 46, connected to winch 44, the effects of gravity will complete the controlled rotation of the “A” frame weldment 24 to join the apex position with cylinder 22. Looking at FIG. 1 it can be seen that the taunt winch belt 46 completes the quadrilateral structure for the towing/storage position. 

I claim:
 1. A trailer mounted apparatus designed to rotate in a longitudinal vertical plane of a given radius, in both directions, fore and aft to specifically launch and retrieve a boat from and to a trailer comprising: a substantially rigid “A” frame weldment having pivotal base points mounted to the trailer, and a pivotal bilateral forked (apex) ends straddled over the bow eye capturing a push/pull bar.
 2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a horizontal bar(s) dog clamped perpendicular to the trailer center line with provisions to mechanically fasten the pivotal “A” frame weldment.
 3. A bow eye configured to secure an horizontal push/pull bar.
 4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 further comprising: two threaded mounting studs for attachment to the boats bow through existing holes from the original bow eye.
 5. A push/pull bar with a resilient damping medium to mediate shock and to evenly distribute the horizontal bow eye load during launch and retrieval.
 6. The structure as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: one end fitting to accept a removable security lanyard.
 7. A two piece triangular yoke with semi closed bushing type ends welded to connecting pull beams for shackle pin connection.
 8. A pneumatic cylinder of size and length to rotate the “A” frame weldment.
 9. The structure as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a clevis connecting the cylinder base end to the trailer.
 10. The structure as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a rod yoke with open concave radius to engage the horizontal push/pull bar.
 11. The structure as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a manual controllable gauged venting pressure regulator for raising and lowering the “A” frame weldment. 